Friction hinge



July 1211932. A. BITToRF FRICTION HINGE Filedsepnle. 1927 A .x 4. x 4

m, Mea/KW@ Patented July 12, 1932 raras PATENTv OFFICE? LOUIS A. :BITrOR-r, or STERLING, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR To NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or STERLING, ILLINoIs, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS FRIOTION HINGE My invention relates generally to hinges and has to do particularly with hinges em bodying friction means adapted to hold the hinge members in any position to which they 5 may be moved, and which may be readily used for supporting and moving swinging win dows, doors, panels, and the like. v

One of the objects of my invention is to pro videanovel'hinge o-f this character which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture and highly efficient in operation at all times'.`

Another object is to provide a fric-tion means iii the form of friction discs cooperating with a friction elemeiitin such a manner that the effective friction surfaces are at the Y outer edges of the discs and at a point considerably iemote from the axis of rotation of the hinge thereby giving a greater leverage and enabling the use of a friction surface whichv is effectiveto positively hold the hinge members in any hinging position without interfering with the swinging ability ofthe same. This arrangement alsov aids in the swinging movement of the hinge members in that a very substantial and uniform supporting surface may be provided throughout the hinging movement.

A further object is to positively grip the friction discs and element together by one of the hinge members in such a way that the discs frictionally engage the friction element in all rotative positions and maintain substantial frictional engagement regardless of wear.

Still another object is to so construct and mount the discs that they may be readily and quickly assembled or disassembled thereby greatly facilitating manufacture and maintenance. f

Other and furtherobjects and advantages will become apparent as this description progresses and by reference to the vdrawing in which,- i

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a hinge embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the hinge of Fig. 1 taken substantially on line. 2-2 of that figure;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the hinge of Fig. 1;`

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the friction discs which I employ in the structure of Fig. 1; f

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a modified form of hinge embodying my invention; i

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line v6 6 of Fig. 5. Y

Referring to the drawing, andparticularly to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive showing the preferred form, the hinge member 10 may be sep curedV to a supportingpart (not'shown) byl suitable fastening devices passing through -openings 11, and the hinge member 12may be secured to a swinging part such as a door, window, panel, or the like (not shown) by fastening devices passing through the openings 13. The inner end of the member 10is provided along its outer edges with spaced` extensions formed to provide` integral and spaced-hinge pin sleeves 14 and 15. The central part of the member 10, intermediate these sleeves, is provided with a slot 16, having a notch 16a in its end wall, the purpose fof which will becomeiobvious later. `The inner end of the other member 12 is provided' 'with spaced and centrally located extensions formed to provide integral hinge pin sleeves 17 and 18 which fitsnugly between the sleeves 14 and 15 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The member 12 is also provided with a centrally located slot 19 opening into the space between the sleeves 17 and 18 in alignment with' the slot 16, and also having a notch 19a in its end'wall. The members10 and 12 are hingedly connected by the hinge pin `2O Vpassing through the sleeves 14, 15, 17 and 18. The

usual form ofplug 21 is inserted in the sleeve l 15 for a well-known purpose..

As hereinabove explained my invention involves the use of friction means cooperating' with the hinge members to aid in support and operation of the same as well as to hold such members and the parts carried thereby in any hinging position. To this end I employ The outer edge of each disc is flat to proy vide a substantial friction surface 22c at a point considerably remote from the pin opening 22". Each disc is provided withan edge projection 23 having a notch 24 which is engaged by the members 1() and 12 as will be described more particularly hereinafter.

In assembling the hinge,l. preferably employ two .discs 22 and arranged lthem with their cupped surfaces projecting outwardly7 and insert a frictionelement, preferably, in the form of flat 'lib-'er disc 25, between the discs 22 and upon 'whijcihrthe friction sur-Y The thickness of the discV faces 22c bear. assembly at its central part is somewhat greater than. the width of the space beta/'reen the sleeves 17 and 18 but the cupped disc surfaces 22EL are sufficient-lyyielding toperlmit such assembly :to be .forced between "those sleeves where they areV tightly gripped 'and positioned. This arrangement not yonly provides for convenient and .rapid .assembly and disassembly but .holds the discs 'in the desired yieldable frictional engagement with the :fiber disc 25 ,and substantial frictional engagement iisfmaintained regardless of wear.

,f When the AVdiscsare..assembled 4as aboveA set forth one of them (the n pperfdisc in Figure 1) has vits notch 24 engagedby the inner wall.A of the slot .19 for the purpose of rotating that disc as that hinge member is moved. fallo complete lthe assembly o f the hinge, the hinge members are moved together with the sleeves 14 and 1,5 passing over andalignin with the sleeves 17; and` .18 andthe promoting pant off .the disc assembly extending into :the .slot4 16 and lits projection netch524tis Aengaged by the Ainner edge-of that slot.,;"l`1he hinge Ipini-s thenV inserted as` shown .Figure 1 Y and 'the hinge isfready -for operation. The-.slots L16' and 19 inthe fassembledghinge form a `.placket Ain whichthe friction disc assembly is re- .This v'adds to compactness in con tained. struction, land also .provides .a -very .rigid construction which -is capable Iof 'supportin quite heavyA loads without undue wear .and without the sagging effect which might .otherwlise result. The disc assembly need not be disturbed or adjusted by the nser during or after 'inStallatiOn.' -Upon removal :of the hinge pin .and separation of the hinge -members, Vthe disc assembly remains in place for ready reassembly. v

In 'operation of the swings back and forth and 4 the-inp'per disc rotates ztherewith jupon .the 'fiber element 25 and aids in `evenly:supporting .the objectcar-A ried by this hinge Hmember inalloffitsswinging .movements The friction surface .is eti-'ectiveto hold-,the member ,12 and the door, window, or the like, (not shown.) inanyofits n hinging `positions .and .such .friction :surface is so :far .removed from .the hinge-pin for .the axis of rotation that, dus y.tothe leverage,

a .comparatively large. and very effective ,fric-V tion `surface may .bfeemployedfwithout, interffering withzthe loperationof thefhinged parts.

hinge, the -member 12 In moving the hinge members to their closed position, the inner side edges of the projections 23 extend into the notches 16a and 19a provided with projections 23X having notches similar to the notches .24. in the preferred fonm which are `.engaged bythe inner edge .of the slot 19X in the member 12X, and the central discf27 is provi-'ded with asimilar notched progj'ectiion engaged by the inner edge, of *the notch 16%. The manner of mountingxand operation of the hinge of Figure .15 is the same Vas in the hinge 'of Figure l, except, that as the hinge 'member 12X is moved theztwo disc-s 26 :and28 are rotated instead'of onedisc jas in the preferred ifo'rm. Y v

describingany invenon Ighave referred to the hinge members 1041s ebeingconnected to fafstati'onary-pant and the other member 12 to a swingab'le pant, `.but it is I15o-be under! stood that fl ido not lfdesire to ibe iimited to the particular manner. of mounting the hinge as itis 'obvious that the hinge may 'he reversed.

and ieither l'ofthese .members anay be attach-,ed

to 'zi-stationary part andthe other to .arswi-ngk able il'aart-,forboth members may be attached toa swingalo'le ipart without departing froml my invention. Furthermore., :whileI have shown only tsvo'emhodiments of my invention, fit.. :is to be 'understood that various changes :and :modifications may beimadeatheifein Vwithout departing frein-.the :spirit and scope :of finyinventi on: as zde'fin ed :by :the claims which .folio-w. Y

I claim:

il. .A hinge comprising :a Yhinge member,

having :a pairof spacedfhinge pin sleeves, .andther member having a pair lof spaced .hinge pin sleeves adapted to tit between and align with said .first-:named sleeves, andifriction meansfor holding said'memhers :in any hingin-g :position 4linchiding 1a pair lnf :opposed cupped 'friction :discs providing a 4yielilaifile center part and an outer friction surface, a friction 'element between :saiddiscs and engag-ed ronly bythe frictionisurfaoes of the same, fthe f discs and element being .of :a :think-V ness greater than theV space between said sec.- ond-"named sleeves l.and being adapted ,fte `:be

yieldingly forced between and :retained dne-V tweensaidsleeves :to provide urself-'adjusting frictionallengagementbietweensaid:dises and element, means for interlocking said fdisos withrsaid hinge members wherebysaidjiriction means is rendered effective to lholltl .the

hinge members in any of the hinging positions, and a hinge pin freely engaging the sleeves of said members, the discs and friction element.

2. Ahinge comprising a. hinge member having an attaching portionl and spaced hinge pin sleeves, another hinge member having an attaching portion and spaced hinge pin sleeves adapted to be mounted between said first-named sleeves and in alignment with the same, a hinge pin freely passing through said sleeves and interlocking said members, and friction means interlocked with said members, said means comprising a plurality of opposed metal discs having yieldable cupped-shaped central portions and peripheral bearing surfaces, a friction element between said discs and engaged only by said bearing surfaces, said discs vand element being yieldably gripped together and held in self-adjusting frictional engagementv by and between said second-named sleeves, and notched projectionsV on said discs engaged by said members to effect rotation of the respective disc upon said element as the member which it engages is moved.

3. In a hinge, a hinge member having outer hinge pin sleeves, another member having inner hinge pin sleeves adapted to be mounted between said outer sleeves and connected thereto by a hinge pin, and friction means mounted upon said pin between said inner sleeves andrendered frictionally effective` at all times by said central Vsleeves,said means comprising a pair of opposed metal discs having a central yieldable cupped portion and an outer friction surface, a fiber washer between said discs having'contact only with said friction surfaces, and notched projections on said discs engaged by said members for rotating said discs upon said washer as said members are moved about the hinge pin, said discs and washer having a central thickness greater than the space between said inner sleeves, the yieldable cupped portions of said discs permitting the disc assembly to be forced between said central sleeves to hold the discs and washer in frictional engagement.

al. A friction hinge having a pair of hinge members each having means for receiving a hinge pin to hingedly lock the same together and having aligned recessesa and friction means controlled by said members and mounted in the recess of one of said members for holding said members in any of their hinging positions, including a pair of friction discs each having a yieldable center part and an outer friction surface and a friction element therebetween, said discs and element having a total thickness greater than the width of the receiving recess, the yieldable center part of the discs permitting insertion in said recess whereby said friction means is Vsupported in tensioned frictional .engagement solely by one of said members.

5. In ahinge, a pair of hinge leaves ar'- ranged to be detachably joined together for' hinging movements by a separable and readily removable hinge pin, said leaves having aligned central cut-outs providing a central opening in the joined position of said leaves, friction discs mounted in said opening of a combined thickness normally greater than the width of said opening, certain of said discs having cup-shaped compressible portions for insertion of all said discs in said opening under compression, the cup-shape of said discs providing for frictional engagement of said discs adjacent their periphery only and remote from the hinge aXis.

6'. In a hinge, a pair of `leaves joined t0- gether for hinging action, said leaves having aligned cut-outs providing an opening in the joinedl leaves, means fo-r frictionally resisting relative hinging movements of said leaves including a plurality of friction discs some of which have their mid-portions formed to provide a thickness of said friction means greater than the width of said opening,-said midportions vbeing'yieldabie to permit the same to be yieldingly forced into the cut-out of c one of said leaves, and said last cut-out being engaged for the most part by said yielding disc portion so that when the other of said VYleaves is det-ached said discs will be gripping- Vto both said members, the total thickness of said means being greater than the width of v said pocket and certain of said discs having a.

yieldable portion so that said discs are grip- Vpingly held in tensioned frictional engagement with said element solely by one of said members.

In testimony whereof, I havev subscribedV my name.

` LOUIS A. BITTGRF. 

